Free Standing won the Country Championships Final at Randwick last year.

Horses

Thompson targets country champs glory

by Matt Jones

13th Feb 2018 5:38 PM

THE rich Country Championships series kicks off this Sunday at Port Macquarie and Robert Thompson is set to partner Portatorio in the opening $150,000 qualifier.

Portatorio is coming off a win at Taree on January 23 and a barrier trial since has him primed to finish in the first two and qualify for the $500,000 final on day one of The Championships at Randwick on April 7.

Thompson finished second in the final last year and plans to ride in most of the eight qualifying races in the lead-up to the big one.

"Every owner and trainer is hoping they have a horse that can make it there," Thompson said. "The competition is strong and fierce, I wish it had happened years ago.

"There's something at the end of the rainbow, a nice big pot of gold there for them and it puts country racing on the big stage on a big day.

Robert Thompson will ride Portatorio in the Country Championships Qualifier at Port Macquarie on Sunday. Picture: Jason O'Brien

"You've got to have a good horse, an old ordinary one won't make it. You need a good up-and-coming young horse."

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys rejoiced in the fact that no other racing jurisdiction has a concept like the Country Championships and he couldn't wait for the fourth edition to start.

"The prizemoney is now worth $500,000 for the final, which make this the richest country race series in the world," he said.